Why maintain Metacard

[Richard MacLemale]

On 7/11/03 12:03 PM, "metacard-request at lists.runrev.com"
<metacard-request at lists.runrev.com> wrote:

> From: RCS <rcs at rcsprogramming.com>
> Subject: Re: Why maintain Metacard
> To: metacard at lists.runrev.com
> Reply-To: metacard at lists.runrev.com
> 
> The user license is different for MetaCard...
> 
> JR
> 
>> In short, (putting it bluntly) why would anyone want to spend effort
>> maintaining/updating MetaCard's development environment when the
>> Revolution environment is also customizable?

Let me see if I understand this correctly, and if not, someone correct me...

1.  The MetaCard engine was bought by RunRev.
2.  Under RunRev, the same rules about the engine still apply... Meaning you
can get the engine itself for free - it's the whole RAD toolset that you pay
for.  
3.  RunRev will continue to improve the engine and the engine will be
improved by the same folks who have always done it, meaning Scott Raney and
whoever else.  
4.  The MetaCard user interface will be maintained by volunteers who will
keep it up to date with the latest Rev/MC engine.
5.  The volunteer-sponsored MetaCard-based GUI under some sort of open
source deal, so it's not going to cost money, but it's going to be updated
and maintained by volunteers.

So, hypothetically speaking, say I've got a friend who is interested in
MetaCard but never wanted to put out a grand to buy it.  The engine has
always been a free thing.  Now the GUI is open sourced, and free.  Does this
mean that MetaCard 2.5 is now free?  And if so, wouldn't that put a bit of a
damper on Revolution?  Making MetaCard an open source free alternative?  I
must be understanding this wrong.

I mean, on one hand, I did several posts debating whether or not Rev should
upgrade MC customers for free - mostly because I am broke, and also cheap by
nature.  But on the other hand, I want Revolution to succeed and grab tons
of users and become huge, because I'm a huge believer in xtalk.  And like I
said, when it evolves a little more and I feel it's worth the money I'll
dump MetaCard and spend the money on a small business license.

But if the improvements in the engine, at that time, are going to also
impact a free, open source version of MetaCard, then... Well then, couldn't
you just use Open Source MetaCard and save the money?  The biggest
difference between Open Source MetaCard and Revolution will be the extra
add-ons that Rev gives and the price tag.  For most users, the extra
add-ons, help, support, and documentation would be worth the money.  But
Open Source MetaCard could end up developing quite a following, too,
couldn't it?  Some open source projects have gone on to become very
successful...

Am I reading this situation correctly?

-- 
:)
Richard MacLemale
Network Administrator
J. W. Mitchell High School